System and method for automated fantasy drafting

ABSTRACT

A system and method for automated fantasy drafting are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving one or more user-defined rules with respect to a list of players, wherein each player on the list is associated with one or more characteristics from a set of predefined characteristics and wherein at least one of the user-defined rules specifies a particular characteristic and selecting a player from the list of players satisfying the one or more user-defined rules.

BACKGROUND

Field

This application relates to fantasy drafts.

Description of the Related Technology

A fantasy sport game is a simulation game where users act as managers orowners of simulated sports teams called “fantasy teams,” where each teamcomprises a number of “players.” Thus, the term “owner” is used to referto a participant in the fantasy sport game. An owner can be a naturalperson or a computer-controlled opponent. A “user” is a fantasy ownerwho is also a natural person. In contrast, the term “player” refers toone of the selectable fantasy characters. In certain fantasy sportsgames, each player corresponds to an athlete in a professional sportsleague.

SUMMARY

The system, method, and devices of the invention each have severalaspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirableattributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention, its moreprominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering thisdiscussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled“Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of thisinvention provide advantages over other methods of automated fantasydrafting.

In one aspect, a method of selecting a player in a fantasy draftcomprises receiving one or more user-defined rules with respect to alist of players, wherein each player on the list is associated with oneor more characteristics from a set of predefined characteristics andwherein at least one of the user-defined rules specifies a particularcharacteristic and selecting, in an electronic device, a player from thelist of players satisfying the one or more user-defined rules.

In one aspect, a method of selecting a player in a fantasy draftcomprises receiving one or more user-defined rules with respect to alist of players, wherein each player on the list is associated with oneor more statistic values for a respective one or more statistics andwherein at least one of the user-defined rules specifies a particularstatistic and selecting, in an electronic device, a player from the listof players satisfying the one or more user-defined rules.

In one aspect, a system for selecting a player on a fantasy draftcomprises a network interface configured to receive one or moreuser-defined rules with respect to a list of players, wherein eachplayer on the list is associated with one or more characteristics from aset of predefined characteristics and wherein at least one of theuser-defined rules specifies a particular characteristic, and aprocessor configured to select a player from the list of playerssatisfying the one or more user-defined rules.

In one aspect, a system for selecting a player in a fantasy draftcomprises means for receiving one or more user-defined rules withrespect to a list of players, wherein each player on the list isassociated with one or more characteristics from a set of predefinedcharacteristics and wherein at least one of the user-defined rulesspecifies a particular characteristic and means for selecting a playerfrom the list of players satisfying the one or more user-defined rules.

In one aspect, a computer-readable medium has instructions encodedthereon which, when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus toperform a method of selecting a player in a fantasy draft comprisingreceiving one or more user-defined rules with respect to a list ofplayers, wherein each player on the list is associated with one or morecharacteristics from a set of predefined characteristics and wherein atleast one of the user-defined rules specifies a particularcharacteristic and selecting a player from the list of playerssatisfying the one or more user-defined rules.

In another aspect, a method of selecting a player in a fantasy draftcomprises storing a ranked list of players, each player associated withone or more characteristics from a predefined set of characteristics,defining one or more rules which specify the maximum number of activeplayers having each of the characteristics and a maximum number ofplayers having of each of the characteristics, storing a roster ofpreviously selected players having the maximum number of active playersfor a particular characteristic and less than the maximum number ofplayers for the particular characteristic, and automatically selecting,in an electronic device, based on the stored roster, a player for theroster from the ranked list of players satisfying the one or more rulessuch that a player is selected with a lower rank than a player with theparticular characteristic.

In another aspect, a system for selecting a player in a fantasy draftcomprises a memory configured to store a ranked list of players, eachplayer associated with one or more characteristics from a predefined setof characteristics, wherein the memory is further configured to storeone or more rules which specify the maximum number of active playershaving each of the characteristics and a maximum number of playershaving of each of the characteristics, wherein the memory is furtherconfigured to store a roster of previously selected players having themaximum number of active players for a particular characteristic andless than the maximum number of players for the particularcharacteristic, and a processor configured to automatically select,based on the stored roster, a player for the roster from the ranked listof players satisfying the one or more rules such that a player isselected with a lower rank than a player with the particularcharacteristic.

In another aspect, a system for selecting a player in a fantasy draftcomprises means for storing a ranked list of players, each playerassociated with one or more characteristics from a predefined set ofcharacteristics, means for defining one or more rules which specify themaximum number of active players having each of the characteristics anda maximum number of players having of each of the characteristics, meansfor storing a roster of previously selected players having the maximumnumber of active players for a particular characteristic and less thanthe maximum number of players for the particular characteristic, andmeans for selecting, based on the stored roster, a player for the rosterfrom the ranked list of players satisfying the one or more rules suchthat a player is selected with a lower rank than a player with theparticular characteristic.

In another aspect, a computer-readable medium has instructions encodedthereon which, when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus toperform a method of selecting a player in a fantasy draft comprisingstoring a ranked list of players, each player associated with one ormore characteristics from a predefined set of characteristics, definingone or more rules which specify the maximum number of active playershaving each of the characteristics and a maximum number of playershaving of each of the characteristics, storing a roster of previouslyselected players having the maximum number of active players for aparticular characteristic and less than the maximum number of playersfor the particular characteristic, and selecting, based on the storedroster, a player for the roster from the ranked list of playerssatisfying the one or more rules such that a player is selected with alower rank than a player with the particular characteristic.

In one aspect, a method of valuating a player in a fantasy draftcomprises storing, in an electronic device, a list of players, eachplayer associated with a base value, receiving one or more playerselections, and determining one or more adjusted values for a respectiveone or more particular players, based at least in part on the basevalues of the particular players and the player selections.

In one aspect, a system for valuating a player in a fantasy draftcomprises a memory configured to store a list of players, each playerassociated with a base value, a network interface configured to receiveone or more player selections, and a processor configured to determineone or more adjusted values for a respective one or more particularplayers, based at least in part on the base values of the particularplayers and the player selections.

In one aspect, a system of valuating a player in a fantasy draft, thesystem comprises means for storing a list of players, each playerassociated with a base value, means for receiving one or more playerselections, and means for determining one or more adjusted values for arespective one or more particular players, based at least in part on thebase values of the particular players and the player selections.

In one aspect, a computer-readable medium has instructions encodedthereon which, when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus toperform a method of valuating a player in a fantasy draft comprisingstoring a list of players, each player associated with a base value,receiving one or more player selections, and determining one or moreadjusted values for a respective one or more particular players, basedat least in part on the base values of the particular players and theplayer selections.

In another aspect, a method of valuating a player in a fantasy draftcomprises storing a list of players, each player associated with a basevalue, receiving one or more user-defined rules for the draft, anddetermining adjusted values for each of the list of players, based atleast in part on base values of the players and the user-defined rules.

In another aspect, a system for valuating a player in a fantasy draftcomprises a memory configured to store a list of players, each playerassociated with a base value, a network interface configured to receiveone or more user-defined rules for the draft, and a processor configuredto determine adjusted values for each of the list of players, based atleast in part on base values of the players and the user-defined rules.

In another aspect, a system for valuating a player in a fantasy draftcomprises means for storing a list of players, each player associatedwith a base value, means for receiving one or more user-defined rulesfor the draft, and means for determining adjusted values for each of thelist of players, based at least in part on base values of the playersand the user-defined rules.

In another aspect, a computer-readable medium has instructions encodedthereon which, when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus toperform a method of valuating a player in a fantasy draft comprisingstoring a list of players, each player associated with a base value,receiving one or more user-defined rules for the draft, and determiningadjusted values for each of the list of players, based at least in parton base values of the players and the user-defined rules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system for playing a fantasysport game.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a user device.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a host.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a performing a sequentialfantasy draft according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing an auctionfantasy draft.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of performing a sequential fantasydraft utilizing user-defined rules.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a sequentialfantasy draft utilizing non-sequential automatic selection.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing an auctionfantasy draft with dynamic bidding values.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A fantasy sport game, in one embodiment, is a computer-implementedsimulation game where users act as managers or owners of simulatedsports teams called “fantasy teams,” where each team comprises a numberof “players.” Thus, the term “owner” is used to refer to a participantin the fantasy sport game. An owner can be a natural person or acomputer-controlled opponent. Each owner can connect to a fantasy sportsgaming system via a network, as described below with respect to FIG. 1.In contrast, the term “player” refers to one of the selectable fantasycharacters. In one embodiment, each player corresponds to an athlete ina professional sports league.

One or more owners can form a fantasy sports “league” which consists ofseveral teams which are managed by individual owners. In one scoringscheme, each team is awarded points by the gaming system foraccomplishments of the players on the team over a predetermined timeperiod. In one embodiment, the accomplishments correspond toaccomplishments of corresponding real-world athletes.

In one embodiment, each team comprises a number of players initiallyselected from a pool of available players designated by the gamingsystem. Rules can be in place specifying the number of players on eachteam, or the number of players having a specific characteristic, such asposition, on each team. In one embodiment, each player from the pool canonly be selected by one owner and, at any one time, be on one team.Thus, to ensure an even distribution of desirable players amongst ownersin a league, owners in the league can participate in a “fantasy draft.”

In one embodiment of a fantasy draft, referred to as a “sequentialdraft,” the owners are ordered and each owner, in order, selects aplayer from the pool of available players. The selected player is“drafted” onto the owner's team and removed from the pool of availableplayers. Once each owner has drafted a player, referred to a “round,”the process repeats and each owner, often, but not necessarily, in orderor in reverse order, drafts another player from the pool. This processrepeats until each team has the maximum number of allowable players, thepool of available players is exhausted, or there are no players in thepool that simultaneously satisfy all of the league criteria. In oneembodiment, a draft may end before the teams have filled their rosterwhen the league rules make this impossible. For example, a 12-teamfantasy football league may have three defense slots for each team. Inone embodiment, there are only 32 defenses available and, accordingly,at least four teams would not be able to completely fill their roster.

In another embodiment of a fantasy draft, referred to as an “auctiondraft,” each owner is allotted a fixed number of credits. A player isselected from the pool of available players to be put up for auction.Owners bid an increasing number of credits for the auctioned player. Theplayer is “drafted” onto the team of the owner who places the highestbid and is removed from the pool of available players. This processrepeats until each team has the maximum number of allowable players, thepool of available players is exhausted, or there are no players in thepool that simultaneously satisfy all of the league criteria. As above,in one embodiment, a draft may end before the teams have filled theirroster when the league rules make this impossible.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system 100 for playing afantasy sport game. The system 100 comprises a host 110 connected via anetwork 120 to a plurality of user devices 130. In one embodiment, thenetwork 120 comprises a public access data network such as the Internet.Each user device 130 is configured to transmit data to and receive datafrom the host 110 over the network 120 and to receive data from andpresent data to a user 140.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a user device200. The user device 200 includes a processor 210 in data communicationwith a memory 220, an input device 230, and an output device 240. Theprocessor is further in data communication with a modem 250 and anetwork interface 260. The user equipment 210 and components thereof arepowered by a power source 280, such as a battery and/or an interface toan external power source. Although described separately, it is to beappreciated that functional blocks described with respect to the userequipment 200 need not be separate structural elements. For example, theprocessor 210 and memory 220 can be embodied in a single chip.Similarly, two or more of the processor 210, modem 250, and networkinterface 260 can be embodied in a single chip or card.

The processor 210 can be a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anysuitable combination thereof designed to perform the functions describedherein. A processor can also be implemented as a combination ofcomputing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The processor 210 can be coupled, via one or more buses, to readinformation from or write information to the memory 220. Additionally,the processor can itself contain memory, such as processor registers.The memory 220 can include a processor cache, including a multi-levelhierarchical cache in which different levels have different capacitiesand access speeds. The memory 120 can also include random access memory(RAM), other volatile storage devices, or non-volatile storage devices.The storage can include hard drives, optical discs, such as compactdiscs (CDs) or digital video discs (DVDs), flash memory, floppy discs,magnetic tape, and Zip drives.

The processor 210 is also coupled to an input device 230 and an outputdevice 240 for, respectively, receiving input from and providing outputto, a user of the user equipment 200. Suitable input devices include,but are not limited to, a keyboard, buttons, keys, switches, a pointingdevice, a mouse, a joystick, a remote control, an infrared detector, avideo camera (possibly coupled with video processing software to, e.g.,detect hand gestures or facial gestures), a motion detector, or amicrophone (possibly coupled to audio processing software to, e.g.,detect voice commands). Suitable output devices include, but are notlimited to, visual output devices, including displays and printers,audio output devices, including speakers, headphones, earphones, andalarms, and haptic output devices, including force-feedback gamecontrollers and vibrating devices.

The processor 210 is further coupled to a modem 250 and/or a networkinterface 260. The modem 250 and/or network interface 260 prepare datagenerated by the processor 210 for transmission over a network accordingto one or more standards. The modem 250 and network interface 260 canalso demodulate data received over the network according to one or morestandards. The modem 250 and network interface 260, can be embodied as ageneral purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any suitablecombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.In one embodiment, the network interface 260 is coupled to an antennafor wireless communication via the network.

In some embodiments, the user equipment 100 is a personal computer, alaptop computer, a tablet computer, hand-held computer, a mobiletelephone, or a smart phone.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a host 300. The host 300 alsoincludes at least a processor 310 coupled to a memory 320, a modem 350,and a network interface 360. The processor 310, memory 320, modem 350and network interface 360 can be embodied as described above withrespect to the user device 200 of FIG. 2.

The system 100 of FIG. 1 can be used by a number of owners to play afantasy sport game. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 of aperforming a sequential fantasy draft according to one embodiment. FIG.4 begins in block 410 with the initialization of the draft. Theinitialization can be performed, for example, by the processor 310 ofthe host 300 of FIG. 3. In one embodiment, initialization includesstoring a pool of players and a team roster for each of a number ofowners in the memory 320 of FIG. 3. In one embodiment, initializationincludes storing one or more game rules or league-specific game rules inthe memory 320 of FIG. 3.

The pool of players, in one embodiment, is stored as an data structurewith a plurality of elements, wherein each element corresponds to adifferent player and stores a plurality of data elements associated withthat player, such as a player ID number, the player's name, the player'sposition, statistics regarding prior performance of the player, apredetermined rank given to the player, a drafted indicator, or a teamindicator. The drafted indicator can be a binary value indicatingwhether or not the player is available to be drafted or has already beendrafted by an owner. The team indicator can be a value indicating whichteam, if any, the player has been drafted to.

The team rosters, in one embodiment, are each stored as a data structurewith a plurality of elements, wherein each element corresponds to aroster slot for the team. Each roster slot can store a player ID number,indicating that a player has been drafted for that slot, or a null valueindicating that the roster slot is open.

The game rules, which can be league-specific, can indicate the number ofteams in the league, a drafting order, a subset of the pool of playerswhich are eligible to be drafted, the maximum number of players allowedon each roster, the maximum number of players of a particular positionallowed on each roster, a scoring system, or other gameplay preferencesor rules. The game rules can be defined, for example, by a designatedowner in the league.

Next, in block 420, selections are received from owners according to apredetermined sequence. In one embodiment, during each round, oneselection is received from each owner. In another embodiment, more thanone selection is received from an owner during a round. This can occur,for example, if teams have traded their selections (or draft picks). Theselection can be determined by the user 140, input into the user device130, and communicated over the network 120 to the host 110 of FIG. 1.Selection can also be performed automatically by the processor 310 ofFIG. 3 for the owner, if the owner is unable to communicate a selectionor has instructed the system to make selections on his behalf. Theselection can be effectuated, for example, by the processor 310 andmemory 320 of FIG. 3 by changing the stored pool of players to indicatethat a particular player is no longer available to be drafted andchanging the stored team rosters to indicate that the particular playerhas been drafted to the team of the owner which selected the player,explicitly or automatically.

Continuing to block 430, it is determined whether the draft is complete.The determination can be performed, for example, by the processor 310 ofFIG. 3 by analyzing the team rosters stored in the memory 320 anddetermining whether there are additional empty slots. The determinationcan be performed, for example, by the processor 310 of FIG. 3 bycounting the number of rounds which have occurred. If it is notdetermined, in block 430, that the draft is complete, the method 400returns to block 420 for additional selection. Otherwise, the method 400ends.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 of performing an auctionfantasy draft. The method 500 begins in block 510 with theinitialization of the draft. The initialization can be performed, forexample, by the processor 310 of the host 300 of FIG. 3. In oneembodiment, initialization includes storing a pool of players, a teamroster for each of a number of owners, and game rules in the memory 320of FIG. 3.

The pool of players, in one embodiment, is stored as an data structurewith a plurality of elements, wherein each element corresponds to adifferent player and stores a plurality of data elements associated withthat player, such as a player ID number, the player's name, the player'sposition, statistics regarding prior performance of the player, apredetermined rank given to the player, a drafted indicator, or a teamindicator. The drafted indicator can be a binary value indicatingwhether or not the player is available to be drafted or has already beendrafted by an owner. The team indicator can be a value indicating whichteam, if any, the player has been drafted to.

The team rosters, in one embodiment, are each stored as a data structurewith a plurality of elements, wherein each element corresponds to aroster slot for the team. Each roster slot can store a player ID number,indicating that a player has been drafted for that slot, or a null valueindicating that the roster slot is open. Each team roster can also storea number of credits remaining for use in the draft.

The game rules, which can be league-specific, can indicate an initialnumber of credits for each user in the draft, the number of teams in theleague, a nominating order, a subset of the pool of players which areeligible to be drafted, the maximum number of players allowed on eachroster, the maximum number of players of a particular position allowedon each roster, a scoring system, or other gameplay preferences orrules. The game rules can be defined, for example, by a designated ownerin the league.

Next, in block 520, a player is selected for auction. The playerselected for auction can be selected based on selections received fromowners according to a predetermined sequence. During each round, oneselection is received from each owner. In another embodiment, oneselection is received from each owner who is eligible to make aselection. The selection can be determined by the user 140, input intothe user device 130, and communicated over the network 120 to the host110 of FIG. 1. Selection can also be performed automatically by theprocessor 310 of FIG. 3 for the owner, if the owner is unable tocommunicate a selection or has instructed the system to select on hisbehalf.

Continuing to block 530, player bids are received. The player bids canbe determined by the user 140, input into the user device 130, andcommunicated over the network 120 to the host 110 of FIG. 1. Bidding canalso be performed automatically by the processor 310 of FIG. 3 for theowner, if the owner is unable to communicate a bid or has instructed thesystem to bid on his behalf.

Next, in block 540, the player is drafted to the team of the owner whoplaced the highest valid bid, either explicitly or automatically. Thedrafting can be effectuated, for example, by the processor 310 andmemory 320 of FIG. 3 by changing the stored pool of players to indicatethat a particular player is no longer available to be drafted, changingthe stored team rosters to indicate that the particular player has beendrafted to the team of the owner who placed the highest bid, eitherexplicitly or automatically, and changing the team roster of that teamto deduct an amount of credits equal to the highest bid.

Continuing to block 550, it is determined whether the draft is complete.The determination can be performed, for example, by the processor 310 ofFIG. 3 by analyzing the team rosters stored in the memory 320 anddetermining whether there are additional empty slots. The determinationcan be performed, for example, by the processor 310 of FIG. 3 bycounting the number of player auctions which have occurred. If it is notdetermined, in block 550, that the draft is complete, the method 500returns to block 520 for additional selection. Otherwise, the method 500ends.

In one embodiment, a fantasy draft is held at a scheduled time and eachowner has a predetermined limited amount of time to select a player orplace bids on a player. In some circumstances, an owner is unable toparticipate in a fantasy draft at the scheduled time or otherwisecommunicate selections or bids at the scheduled time, perhaps due to ascheduling conflict, illness, or technical difficulties in connecting tothe host. As mentioned above with respect to block 420 of FIG. 4, in oneembodiment, selection or bidding can be performed automatically by theprocessor 310 of FIG. 3 for the owner if the owner is unable tocommunicate a selection or a bid during the scheduled time.

In one embodiment, each of the players in the pool of players isassigned a rank or bidding value prior to the draft. The initial rank orbidding value can be assigned by an expert or by a computer based onpast or expected performance of the player. In one embodiment, when auser is unable to communicate a selection, the system automaticallyselects the non-drafted player with the highest initial rank. In oneembodiment, when a user is unable to communicate a bid, the systemautomatically bids on a player up to the bidding value.

In one embodiment, a user can, in advance of the draft, communicate auser-ranked list of players to the host. If the user is unable tocommunicate a selection, the system automatically selects thenon-drafted player with the highest rank as communicated by the user. Inone embodiment, a user can, in advance of the draft, communicateuser-defined bidding values. If the user is unable to communicate a bid,the system automatically bids on a player up to the user-defined biddingvalues.

In one embodiment of a fantasy sport game, each team is allowed amaximum number of players. Further, each team has an active roster andan inactive roster. In one embodiment, each team roster stored in thememory 320 of FIG. 3 stores an active indictor for each playerindicating whether the player is on the active roster. Only playersdesignated as part of the active roster contribute to the team'sperformance, e.g., only players on the active roster contribute pointsto a team's score. In one embodiment, a maximum number of players areallowed on the active roster.

As mentioned above, each player can be associated with one or morepositions. For example, a player can be associated with a quarterbackposition or a wide receiver position. As another example, a player canbe associated with a first base position or a pitcher position. A playercan be associated with more than one position. For example, a player canbe associated with a second base and a shortstop position. As anotherexample, a player can be associated with a center position or a powerforward position. A player can be associated with a position indicativeof multiple positions. For example, a player can be associated with anoutfielder position indicative of a left fielder position, a centerfielder position, and a right fielder position. As another example, aplayer can be associated with a guard position indicative of a shootingguard position and a point guard position.

In one embodiment, a maximum number of players associated with each of anumber of positions are allowed on the active roster. For example, afantasy football team can be allowed to have 16 players, but the teamcan only be allowed to have one quarterback, two running backs, two widereceivers, one tight end, and one kicker on the active roster. Asanother example, a fantasy baseball team can be allowed to have 20players, but the team can only be allowed to have one pitcher, onecatcher, four infielders, and three outfielders on the active roster. Asanother example, a fantasy basketball team can be allowed to have 10players, but the team can only be allowed to have one center, one powerforward, one small forward, one shooting guard, and one point guard onthe active roster.

The performance of a fantasy sport team can be improved by having abalanced roster, e.g. a number of players associated with each position.In one embodiment, described above, when a user is unable to communicatea selection, the system automatically selects the non-drafted playerwith the highest initial rank or highest user-defined rank. In somedrafts, this can result in an unbalanced team in which multiple playersof a first position are selected to the exclusion of players of a secondposition because, for each selection, a player of the first position wasranked higher than players of the second position.

In one embodiment, a user can, in advance of the draft, communicate oneor more user-defined rules to the host. If the user is unable tocommunicate a selection during the scheduled time, selection will beperformed automatically based on the user-defined rules. For example,the user can communicate a user-defined rule indicating that, in aparticular round, a player of a particular position should be selected.As another example, the user can communicate a user-defined ruleindicating that, in any round, a player of a particular position shouldnot be selected if a particular number of players of that position havealready been selected to the team roster.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 600 of performing a sequential fantasydraft utilizing user-defined rules. The method 600 begins in block 610with the initialization of the draft. The initialization can beperformed, for example, as described above with respect to FIG. 410 ofFIG. 4. In particular, a pool of players is stored, wherein each playeris associated with various data elements such as, but not limited to,player ID number, the player's name, the player's position, statisticsregarding prior performance of the player, a predetermined rank given tothe player, a drafted indicator, or a team indicator. Further, teamrosters are stored for each of a plurality of owners.

In block 615, one or more user-defined rules are received. Theuser-defined rules can be determined by the user 140, input into theuser device 130, and communicated over the network 120 to the host 110of FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the user-defined rule indicates that, in a particularround, a player of a particular position should be selected for aparticular owner. Multiple such user-defined rules can be received,indicating different positions for different rounds. For example, anowner can communicate user-defined rules indicating that, in the firstround, a running back (e.g., a player associated with the running backposition) should be selected, in the second round, a quarterback shouldbe selected, and in the third round, a wide receiver should be selected.In one embodiment, the user-defined rule indicates that, in a particularround, a player of one or more particular positions should be selectedfor a particular owner. For example, an owner can communicate auser-defined rule indicating that, in the first round, a shooting guardor small forward should be selected.

In one embodiment, the user-defined rule indicates that, in any round, aplayer of a particular position should only be selected if less thanparticular number of players of that position have already been selectedto the team roster of the owner. For example, a user-defined rule canindicate that a kicker should not be selected if two kickers havealready been selected to the team roster. In another embodiment, theuser-defined rule indicates that, in any round, a player of a particularposition should only be selected if a particular number of players of adifferent position have already been selected to the team roster of theowner. For example, a user-defined rule can indicate that a widereceiver should be selected only if two running backs have already beenselected to the team roster.

Although, in one embodiment, the user-defined rule is defined withrespect to player position, any player characteristic can be the subjectof a user-defined rule. For example, a user-defined rule can indicatethat a player associated with an age less than a particular value shouldbe selected in a particular round. As another example, a user-definedrule can indicate that a player associated with a specific professionalsports team (e.g., Los Angeles Lakers, Seattle Mariners, New EnglandPatriots, etc.) should be selected in a particular round. As anotherexample, a user-defined rule can indicate that a player having a namebeginning with a particular letter be should be selected in a particularround.

In one embodiment, the user-defined rule indicates that, in a particularround, a player associated with the greatest (or least) number ofparticular statistic should be selected. For example, a user-definedrule can indicate that, in the fourth round, the player associated withthe greatest number of home runs in the previous season should beselected. As another example, a user-defined rule can indicate that, inthe seventh round, the player associated with the greatest number oflifetime steals should be selected. As another example, a user-definedrule can indicate that, in the first round, the player associated withthe least number of interceptions should be selected. As anotherexample, a user-defined rule can indicate that, in the fifteenth round,the player projected to have the most runs scored in the upcoming seasonshould be selected.

It is to be appreciated that multiple user-defined rules can be ineffect during any particular selection. Thus, a user-defined rule canindicate that in the first round, a quarterback should be selected andanother user-defined rule can indicate that in the first round, a playerwith the greater number of touchdowns should be selected. These rulesindicate that, in the first round, the quarterback with the greatestnumber of touchdowns should be selected.

It is to be appreciated that user-defined rules can be simple orcomplex. For example, a user-defined rule can indicate that, in thesecond round, a running back with more than fifteen touchdowns should beselected, but if one is not available, a quarterback with a quarterbackrating of over a hundred should be selected, but if one is notavailable, the highest ranked running back should be selected. Asanother example, a user-defined rule can indicate that, in the fifthround, if one is available and three outfielders have not already beenselected to team, an outfielder with more than 20 home-runs should beselected, where if one is not available and three outfielders have notalready been selected to the team, the available outfielder with thehighest on-base percentage (OBP) should be selected, where if threeoutfielders have already been selected to the team, the pitcher with thelowest earned run average (ERA) should be selected.

Although, in one embodiment, the user-defined rule is defined withrespect to the owner's roster, the team rosters of owners can be thesubject of a user-defined rule. For example, a user-defined rule canindicate that a kicker should only be selected if two other owners haveselected kickers. A particular player can also be the subject of auser-defined rule or a portion thereof. For example, a user-defined rulecan indicate that a tight end should only be selected if three otherowners have selected a tight end, unless that tight end is “AntonioGates.”

It is to be appreciated that the above examples are in no way limiting,and other user-defined rules can be defined and communicated by the userto the host.

Continuing, in block 620, selections are received from owners accordingto a predetermined sequence. During each round, one selection isreceived from each owner. The selection can be determined by the user140, input into the user device 130, and communicated over the network120 to the host 110 of FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the host 110 promptsthe user with a selection based on the user-defined rules. If the owneris unable to communicate a selection or instructs that a selection bemade automatically on his behalf, selection can also be performedautomatically, by the processor 310 of FIG. 3, for the owner based onthe user-defined rules. If the user-defined rules exclude all playersremaining to be drafted, a default selection may performed. For example,the highest ranked player may be selected. The selection can beeffectuated, for example, by the processor 310 and memory 320 of FIG. 3by changing the stored pool of players to indicate that a particularplayer is no longer available to be drafted and changing the stored teamrosters to indicate that the particular player has been drafted to theteam of the owner which selected the player, explicitly orautomatically.

Next, in block 630, it is determined whether the draft is complete. Thedetermined can be performed as described above with respect to block 430of FIG. 4. If it is not determined, in block 630, that the draft iscomplete, the method 600 returns to block 620 for additional selection.Otherwise, the method 600 ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 of performing asequential fantasy draft utilizing non-sequential automatic selection.FIG. 7 begins in block 710 with the initialization of the draft. Theinitialization can be performed, for example, as described above withrespect to FIG. 410 of FIG. 4. In particular, a pool of players isstored, wherein each player is associated with various data elementsincluding a predetermined rank for each player. Further, team rostersare stored for each of a plurality of owners.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment of a fantasy sport game, each teamis allowed a maximum number of players. Further, each team has an activeroster and an inactive roster and a maximum number of players associatedwith each of a number of positions are allowed on the active roster. Themaximum number of players allowed and the maximum number of playersassociated with each of a number of positions allowed on the activeroster can be stored, for example, in the memory 320 of FIG. 3.

Next, in block 720, selections are received from owners according to apredetermined sequence. During each round, one selection is receivedfrom each owner. The selection can be determined by the user 140, inputinto the user device 130, and communicated over the network 120 to thehost 110 of FIG. 1. Selection can also be performed automatically by theprocessor 310 of FIG. 3 for the owner, if the owner is unable tocommunicate a selection.

In one embodiment, the highest ranked non-drafted player isautomatically selected for the owner. In another embodiment, the teamroster is taken into account in making the automatic selection. Inparticular, in one embodiment, the available active slots for particularpositions are used in making the automatic selection. An owner has anavailable active slot for a particular position if the roster has lessthan the maximum number of players allowed on the active rosterassociated with the position.

In one embodiment, the N highest ranked non-drafted players are analyzedand the highest ranked non-drafted player for which the owner has anavailable active slot for the position of the player is selected. If theowner does not have an active slot for the position of any of the Nplayers, the highest ranked non-drafted player is selected regardless ofthe roster. In one embodiment, N is predetermined by the owner inadvance of the draft. In another embodiment, N is determined by the hostas approximately 1.5 times the number of teams in the league. In anotherembodiment, N is determined by the host as an approximation of thelikelihood of being able to draft the highest ranked non-drafted playerin a later round.

For example, if the owner has an active slot for a quarterback and thehighest ranked non-drafted player is a quarterback, that player isselected. As another example, if the owner does not have an active slotfor a quarterback, but has an active slot for a running back, and thehighest ranked non-drafted player is a quarterback and the secondhighest ranked non-drafted player is a running back, the running back isselected. Thus, in one embodiment, a player with a lower rank isselected rather than a player with a higher rank. As another example, ifthe owner does not have an active slot for a quarterback, but has anactive slot for a kicker, and the highest ranked non-drafted player is aquarterback and the next N highest ranked non-drafted players are not akicker, the quarterback is selected.

The selection can be effectuated, for example, by the processor 310 andmemory 320 of FIG. 3 by changing the stored pool of players to indicatethat a particular player is no longer available to be drafted andchanging the stored team rosters to indicate that the particular playerhas been drafted to the team of the owner which selected the player,explicitly or automatically.

Continuing to block 730, it is determined whether the draft is complete.The determined can be performed as described above with respect to block430 of FIG. 4. If it is not determined, in block 730, that the draft iscomplete, the method 700 returns to block 720 for additional selection.Otherwise, the method 700 ends.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, each of the players in the poolof players is assigned an initial bidding value prior to the draft. Theinitial bidding value can be assigned by an expert or by a computerbased on past or expected performance of the player. In one embodiment,when a user is unable to communicate a bid or requests that the systembid on his behalf, the system automatically bids on a player up to thebidding value. However, conditions and the actual value of playerschange during the course of a draft and bidding decisions based on theinitial bidding values can be suboptimal.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method 800 of performing an auctionfantasy draft with dynamic bidding values. FIG. 8 begins in block 810with the initialization of the draft. The initialization can beperformed, for example, by the processor 310 of the host 300 of FIG. 3.In one embodiment, initialization includes storing a pool of players anda team roster for each of a number of owners in the memory 320 of FIG.3. The initialization can be performed as described above with respectto block 510 of FIG. 5. In particular, a pool of players is stored,wherein each player is associated with various data elements includingan initial bidding value, or base value, for each player. Further, teamrosters are stored for each of a plurality of owners and game rules arestored.

Continuing to block 815, adjusted bidding values are determined for eachplayer based on the base value of each player and the stored game rules.

In one embodiment, the adjusted bidding values are determined based onthe league size, e.g., the number of teams in the league. In oneembodiment, the initial bidding values are determined for a league witha particular number of teams and the adjusted bidding values areincreased in leagues with an actual number of teams in the leaguegreater than the particular number of teams. In one embodiment, theadjusted bidding values are determined as the ratio of the actual numberof teams in the league and the particular number of teams. Thus, in oneembodiment, if initial bidding values are determined for a league withten teams, the adjusted bidding values will be 1.5 times the initialbidding values for a league with fifteen teams. In another embodiment,the adjusted bidding values are determined based on a non-linearfunction of the initial bidding values. For example, in one embodiment aplayer with a base value of 50 would have an adjusted value of 100,whereas a player with a base value of 25 would have an adjusted value of40.

In one embodiment, the adjusted bidding values are determined based onthe team budget, e.g., the initial number of credits for each owner inthe draft. In one embodiment, each owner is provided with a differentbudget and the adjusted bidding values are determined for each owner.This allows for less-experienced owners to be given a handicap andthereby provide a competitive experience with more-experienced owners.In one embodiment, the initial bidding values are determined for aparticular budget and the adjusted bidding values are increased forteams having an actual budget greater than the particular budget. In oneembodiment, the adjusted bidding values are determined as the ratio ofthe actual budget and the particular budget. Thus, in one embodiment, ifinitial bidding values are determined for a budget of 260, the adjustedbidding values will be 1.5 times the initial bidding values for a teamwith a budget of 390. In another embodiment, the adjusted bidding valuesare determined based on a non-linear function of the initial biddingvalues. For example, in one embodiment a player with a base value of 50would have an adjusted value of 100, whereas a player with a base valueof 25 would have an adjusted value of 40.

In one embodiment, the adjusted bidding values are determined based onthe active roster composition, e.g., the maximum number of players ofeach position allowed on the active team roster. In one embodiment, theinitial bidding values are determined for a default active rostercomposition and the adjusted bidding values for particular players areincreased or decreased based on the actual active roster composition. Inone embodiment, if a roster composition has a greater number of activeroster slots for a particular position than the default rostercomposition, players with that position can have adjusted bidding valueswhich are less than the initial bidding values. For example, if aparticular league only allows one active running back, a running backwith good expected performance is less valuable in that league than in aleague that allows six running backs.

In one embodiment, the adjusted bidding values are determined based onthe bench roster composition, e.g. the maximum number of players allowedon the team roster which are not part of the active team roster. Forexample, if the bench roster is small (as compared to a default size onwhich the initial bidding values are determined), players can be lessvaluable and the adjusted bidding values can be smaller than the basevalues.

In one embodiment, the adjusted bidding values are determined based on aplayer universe, e.g. a subset of the pool of players that are eligibleto be drafted. For example, in one embodiment, a fantasy baseball leaguemay only allow drafting of National League player or only allow draftingof American League players. Thus, the adjusted bidding values areincreased or decreased based on the limited pool of talented players.

In one embodiment, the adjusted bidding values are determined based on ascoring system, e.g., the translation of a player's statistics intopoints for the owners. For example, a first scoring system provides sixpoints for a touchdown and one point for every twenty yards and a secondscoring system provides zero points for a touchdown, but one point forevery ten yards. A first player (or rather, their real-worldcounterpart) is used in goal line situations and scores many touchdownsbut does not run for many yards, whereas a second player (or rather,their real-world counterpart) is used more generally and scores lesstouchdowns, but runs for more yards than the first player. The firstplayer would be more valuable than the second player in the firstscoring system, but the second player would be more valuable than thefirst player in the second scoring system. Accordingly, the paststatistics or expected statistics of a player may be used, as weighed bythe scoring system, to determine an adjusted base value for the player.

Next, in block 820, a player is selected for auction. The playerselected for auction can be selected based on selections received fromowners according to a predetermined sequence. During each round, oneselection is received from each owner. The selection can be determinedby the user 140, input into the user device 130, and communicated overthe network 120 to the host 110 of FIG. 1. Selection can also beperformed automatically by the processor 310 of FIG. 3 for the owner, ifthe owner is unable to communicate a selection.

Progressing to block 825, the adjusted bidding value (or dynamicallyadjusted bidding value as described below with respect to block 845) ofthe selected player is sent to the owner to assist in determining anamount to bid for the selected player. The sending can be performed, forexample, by the network interface 360 of FIG. 3. The adjusted biddingvalue can be displayed to the user, for example, by the output device240 of FIG. 2.

Continuing to block 830, player bids are received. The player bids canbe determined by the user 140, input into the user device 130, andcommunicated over the network 120 to the host 110 of FIG. 1. Bidding canalso be performed automatically by the processor 310 of FIG. 3 for theowner, if the owner is unable to communicate a bid or instructs thesystem to bid on his behalf. In one embodiment, when a user is unable tocommunicate a bid, the system automatically bids on a player up to theadjusted bidding value (or up to the dynamically adjusted bidding valueas described below with respect to block 845).

Next, in block 840, the player is drafted to the team of the owner whoplaced the highest bid, either explicitly or automatically. The draftingcan be effectuated, for example, by the processor 310 and memory 320 ofFIG. 3 by changing the stored pool of players to indicate that aparticular player is no longer available to be drafted, changing thestored team rosters to indicate that the particular player has beendrafted to the team of the owner who placed the highest bid, eitherexplicitly or automatically, and changing the team roster of that teamto deduct an amount of credits equal to the highest bid.

Progressing to block 845, the adjusted bidding values are dynamicallyadjusted based on the results of the bidding.

In one embodiment, bidding values are dynamically adjusted upward when aplayer is drafted with a winning bid which is less than the expectedwinning bid for the player. The expected winning bid can be, forexample, the initial bidding value, the adjusted bidding value, or thedynamically adjusted bidding value. Similarly, bidding values aredynamically adjusted downward when a player is drafted with a winningbid which is greater than the expected winning bid for the player. Forexample, if a player with an expected winning bid of 50 is drafted witha winning bid of 100, this indicates that (on average) the owners have asmaller remaining budget than they were expected to have when thebidding values were last determined. In an extreme example, if a playerwith an expected winning bid of 50 is drafted with a winning bid of 150(the entire remaining budget of a particular owner), this indicates thatthere will be less competition for later-drafted players as thatparticular owner will not be submitting bids.

In one embodiment, bidding values are dynamically adjusted based on theplayers already drafted on the owner's team. For example, if an owner nolonger has an active slot for a particular position, players with thatparticular position are less valuable and their bidding values can beadjusted downwards. In one embodiment, bidding values are dynamicallyadjusted based on the players already drafted by all owners in theleague. For example, if each owner, except one, has filled their activeslots for a particular position, the remaining owner would expect littlecompetition in filling his or her active slot for that position. Thus,the bidding values can be dynamically adjusted downward for playersassociated with that position.

Continuing to block 850, it is determined whether the draft is complete.The determination can be performed, for example, by the processor 310 ofFIG. 3 by analyzing the team rosters stored in the memory 320 anddetermining whether there are additional empty slots. The determinationcan be performed, for example, by the processor 310 of FIG. 3 bycounting the number of player auctions which have occurred. If it is notdetermined, in block 850, that the draft is complete, the method 800returns to block 820 for additional selection. Otherwise, the method 800ends.

It is also to be recognized that, depending on the embodiment, the actsor events of any methods described herein can be performed in othersequences, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not allacts or events are necessary for the practice of the methods), unlessthe text specifically and clearly states otherwise.

While the above description points out certain novel features of theinvention as applied to various embodiments, the skilled person willunderstand that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in theform and details of the device or process illustrated may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scopeof the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description. All variations coming within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of selecting a player in a fantasydraft, the method comprising: storing a list of players in electronicmemory, each player associated with a position and a ranking; receiving,at the electronic memory, one or more rules that specify: a user has agiven number of active roster slots per position; a player of a firstposition is selected for an empty active roster slot of the firstposition for a user based on the ranking associated with the player ofthe first position if more than one player associated with the emptyactive roster slot of the first position is available; and a player of asecond position is thereafter selected for the user having an emptyactive roster slot for the second position, even if a higher rankedplayer of the first position is available, wherein, when no player ofthe second position is available, the highest ranked player of the firstposition is selected even in the absence of an empty active roster slotfor the player of the first position; and automatically selecting forthe user, by a processor, a player from the list of players satisfyingthe one or more rules; wherein the selected player is automaticallydrafted, by a processor, to a team of the user.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein selecting is performed for multiple rounds.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein selecting is performed for multiple rounds and whereinat least one of the rules specifies a maximum number players associatedwith a particular position to be selected during the multiple rounds. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein selecting is performed for multiplerounds and wherein at least one of the rules specifies a minimum numberof players associated with a particular position to be selected duringthe multiple rounds.
 5. A method of selecting a player in a fantasydraft, the method comprising: storing a list of players in electronicmemory, each player associated with a position and statistic; receiving,at the electronic memory, one or more rules that specify: a user has agiven number of active roster slots per position; a player of a firstposition is selected for an empty active roster slot of the firstposition for a user based on the statistic associated with the player ofthe first position if more than one player associated with the emptyactive roster slot of the first position is available; and a player of asecond position is thereafter selected for the user having an emptyactive roster slot for the second position, even if a higher rankedplayer of the first position is available, wherein when no player of thesecond position is available, the highest ranked player of the firstposition is selected even in the absence of an empty active roster slotfor the player of the first position; and automatically selecting forthe user, by a processor, a player from the list of players satisfyingthe one or more rules; wherein the selected player is automaticallydrafted, by a processor, to a team of the user in the absence of userinput.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein selecting is performed formultiple rounds.
 7. A system for selecting a player on a fantasy draft,the system comprising: a memory configured to store a list of players,each player associated with a position and a ranking; a networkinterface configured to receive one or more rules that specify: a userhas a given number of active roster slots per position; a player of afirst position is selected for an empty active roster slot of the firstposition for a user based on the ranking associated with the player ofthe first position if more than one player associated with the emptyactive roster slot of the first position is available; and a player of asecond position is thereafter selected for the user having an emptyactive roster slot for the second position, even if a higher rankedplayer of the first potion is available, wherein when no player of thesecond position is available, the highest ranked player of the firstposition is selected even in the absence of an empty active roster slotfor the player of the first position; and automatically selecting forthe user, by a processor, a player from the list of players satisfyingthe one or more rules; wherein the selected player is automaticallydrafted, by a processor, to a team of the user.
 8. The system of claim7, wherein the processor is configured to select players for multiplerounds.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured toselect players for multiple rounds and wherein at least one of the rulesspecifies a maximum number of players associated with a particularposition to be selected during the multiple rounds.
 10. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the processor is configured to select players formultiple rounds and wherein at least one of the rules specifies aminimum number of players associated with a particular position to beselected during the multiple rounds.
 11. A system for selecting a playerin a fantasy draft, the system comprising: means for storing, in amemory, a list of players, each player associated with a position and aranking; means for receiving one or more rules that specifies: a userhas a given number of active roster slots per position; a player of afirst position is selected for an empty active roster slot of the firstposition for a user based on the ranking associated with the player ofthe first position if more than one player associated with the emptyactive roster slot of the first position is available; and a player of asecond position is thereafter selected for the user having an emptyactive roster slot for the second position, even if a higher rankedplayer of the first position is available, wherein when no player of thesecond position is available, the highest ranked player of the firstposition is selected even in the absence of an empty active roster slotfor the player of the first position; and means for automaticallyselecting for the user a player from the list of players satisfying theone or more rules; wherein the selected player is automatically drafted,by a processor, to a team of the user.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the means for selecting comprises means for selecting playersfor multiple rounds.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the means forselecting comprises means for selecting players for multiple rounds andwherein at least one of the rules specifies a maximum number of playersassociated with a particular position to be selected during the multiplerounds.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for selectingcomprises means for selecting players for multiple rounds and wherein atleast one of the rules specifies a minimum number of players associatedwith a particular position to be selected during the multiple rounds.15. A non-signal computer-readable storage medium having instructionsencoded thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause an apparatusto perform a method of selecting a player in a fantasy draft, the methodcomprising: storing, in a memory, a list of players, each playerassociated with a position and a ranking; receiving, at the memory, oneor more rules that specify: a user has a given number of active rosterslots per position; a player of a first position is selected for anempty active roster slot of the first position for a user based on theranking associated with the player of the first position if more thanone player associated with the empty active roster slot of the firstposition is available; and a player of a second position is thereafterselected for the user having an empty active roster slot for the secondposition, even if a higher ranked player of the first position isavailable, wherein when no player of the second position is available,the highest ranked player of the first position is selected even in theabsence of an empty active roster slot for the player of the firstposition; and automatically selecting a player for the user from thelist of players satisfying the one or more rules; wherein the selectedplayer is automatically drafted, by a processor, to a team of the user.16. The non-signal computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, whereinselecting is performed for multiple rounds.
 17. The non-signalcomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein selecting isperformed for multiple rounds and wherein at least one of the rulesspecifies a maximum number of players associated with a particularposition to be selected.
 18. The non-signal computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein selecting is performed for multiple roundsand wherein at least one of the rules specifies a minimum number ofplayers associated with a particular position to be selected.